A coalition of northern elders has criticised Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, accusing him of focusing on political battles rather than addressing the escalating banditry that has displaced families and disrupted commerce across the state.
The Northern Elders Support Group said residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing violence and are demanding decisive action to restore security. In a statement signed by the group’s acting Chairman, Hon Yusuf Abubakar, the elders compared the governor’s approach to “a leader who sends away his own child and claims to act in the family’s interest,” implying a neglect of his primary responsibilities.
They argued that Governor Lawal’s frequent public criticisms of the federal government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, are weakening the collaborative effort needed to tackle banditry effectively. The Zamfara chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress has echoed these concerns, claiming the governor is prioritising a 2027 political narrative over the safety of his citizens and allegedly undermining federal anti-banditry operations.
The Northern Democratic Watch has also weighed in, calling for a state of emergency and citing a “constitutional crisis” linked to the suspension of lawmakers in the state.
Governor Lawal, however, maintains that he could eliminate banditry within two weeks if given full security control. He highlighted his administration’s recruitment of over 2,000 hunters and the acquisition of 150 vehicles for security agencies, but blamed political interference and insufficient cooperation from federal forces for the slow progress.
The elders’ message is clear: the people of Zamfara want immediate peace, safety, and a robust response to insecurity. Whether Governor Lawal will shift his focus from political disputes to the urgent crisis remains to be seen.
